1997 Mazda Protege Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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For 1997, Mazda made a few minor revisions to the exterior of its four-door Protege compact sedan, with fresh looks for the headlights, bumpers, grille, and fenders. In addition, some minor changes were made to the Protege's list of standard features. Three versions of the Protege were available for 1997. The entry-level DX trim package as well as the mid-range LX were powered by a 1.5-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine that produced 92 horsepower. The high-end ES trim package received a 1.8-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine that produced 122 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission was standard for all models, while a four-speed automatic was optional. The DX was equipped with such features as power brakes, power steering, dual front airbags, 13-inch wheels, a tilt steering wheel, and a rear window defroster. The LX added power windows, power door locks, power exterior mirrors, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and an AM/FM/cassette stereo system, while the upscale ES added air conditioning, among other features. The Protege ran and handled well, according to drivers, who also noted that it was a fun, comfortable, affordable car to drive, with good fuel economy. Repairs beyond routine maintenance was rarely required, drivers noted. On the downside, some drivers felt the cars with the smaller 1.5-liter engine were underpowered.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1997 Mazda Protege
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by Anonymous
Jul 20, 2014
I easily average 30mpgs even in Seattle rush hour, and for being a pretty small economy car, it's actually pretty fun to drive. I have the 5-speed manual, and the gears shift smoothly, and even with it's under-100hp, I still find myself yawning at the cars in front of me on an onramp to hurry up and get to 60 already. Fairly easy to service for the most part. The inline 4 is a piece of cake to change the plugs on. The seats are comfy (at least for me, a 5'7" female), and the controls simple and intuitive. The trunk is roomier than it looks, too. It's a small car, but I've been able to move at least medium furniture (dressers and the like) while in college. All in all, a great little car.
I did have a phantom check engine light for several years that would come on and off intermittently without throwing a code. It drove me nuts. Of course, it turned into "the light that cried engine," and I ended up ignoring it for probably a lot longer than I should. Eventually it turned out I needed to replace the catalytic converter, of which there are TWO. Why such a small, high mpg vehicle needs two is beyond me. It cost probably more than the value of the car to replace them, and that was with a colleague that cut me a deal. Now that the catalytic converter(s) and the spark plugs were replaced, though, it runs like a dream.Jul 20, 2014
by Anonymous
Jun 22, 2010
I bought my car when it was only 5 years old had it now for 8 years and it has had a lot of trouble already. Pretty much right from the beginning I had engine problems, the car turned off during driving and split seconds and on again than it just keept driving. Also many times brought it to check the computer never found anything. My car just seamed to have a ghost in it. Now it just jerks me to the front whenever it feels like it. It's an automatic and the shifting is pretty bad. I like my little car but I hate it that it does this. I think I might have got a lemon. Nobody seams to know what the problem is. I have had to move over to the shoulder to park my car and turn it off to make the problem stop. My car would change itself to nutral on the dashboard but not on the stick itself. How rediculos is that!!! To fix this problem I had to turn off the car and wait than turn it back on!!! It happen many times on the highway and during busy traffic in the city!!! I am thinking of buying a different car now but not sure what yet. So I still put up with this how pathetic is that?Jun 22, 2010
by Nick S
May 15, 2010
•Performance - acceleration is satisfactory, braking is weak but satisfactory and handling is incredibly good.
•Build Quality - doesn't need any repair besides your usual maintenance (oil, filters, tires, etc.) but as for any cheap japanese car, the plastic interior rattles when you turn up the volume of the radio.
•Appearance - simple, easily accessible and repairable interior and exterior components. Looks good overall.
•Cost of Ownership - very economical car (about 40-42 MPG) and maintenance can be easily done thanks to it's very accessible powertrain components.
•Fun Factor - this car shouldn't be quoted as a "Front Wheel Drive" but as a "Fun Wheel Drive".May 15, 2010
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jul 20, 2014
I easily average 30mpgs even in Seattle rush hour, and for being a pretty small economy car, it's actually pretty fun to drive. I have the 5-speed manual, and the gears shift smoothly, and even with it's under-100hp, I still find myself yawning at the cars in front of me on an onramp to hurry up and get to 60 already. Fairly easy to service for the most part. The inline 4 is a piece of cake to change the plugs on. The seats are comfy (at least for me, a 5'7" female), and the controls simple and intuitive. The trunk is roomier than it looks, too. It's a small car, but I've been able to move at least medium furniture (dressers and the like) while in college. All in all, a great little car.
I did have a phantom check engine light for several years that would come on and off intermittently without throwing a code. It drove me nuts. Of course, it turned into "the light that cried engine," and I ended up ignoring it for probably a lot longer than I should. Eventually it turned out I needed to replace the catalytic converter, of which there are TWO. Why such a small, high mpg vehicle needs two is beyond me. It cost probably more than the value of the car to replace them, and that was with a colleague that cut me a deal. Now that the catalytic converter(s) and the spark plugs were replaced, though, it runs like a dream.Jul 20, 2014
by Anonymous
Jun 22, 2010
I bought my car when it was only 5 years old had it now for 8 years and it has had a lot of trouble already. Pretty much right from the beginning I had engine problems, the car turned off during driving and split seconds and on again than it just keept driving. Also many times brought it to check the computer never found anything. My car just seamed to have a ghost in it. Now it just jerks me to the front whenever it feels like it. It's an automatic and the shifting is pretty bad. I like my little car but I hate it that it does this. I think I might have got a lemon. Nobody seams to know what the problem is. I have had to move over to the shoulder to park my car and turn it off to make the problem stop. My car would change itself to nutral on the dashboard but not on the stick itself. How rediculos is that!!! To fix this problem I had to turn off the car and wait than turn it back on!!! It happen many times on the highway and during busy traffic in the city!!! I am thinking of buying a different car now but not sure what yet. So I still put up with this how pathetic is that?Jun 22, 2010
by Nick S
May 15, 2010
•Performance - acceleration is satisfactory, braking is weak but satisfactory and handling is incredibly good.
•Build Quality - doesn't need any repair besides your usual maintenance (oil, filters, tires, etc.) but as for any cheap japanese car, the plastic interior rattles when you turn up the volume of the radio.
•Appearance - simple, easily accessible and repairable interior and exterior components. Looks good overall.
•Cost of Ownership - very economical car (about 40-42 MPG) and maintenance can be easily done thanks to it's very accessible powertrain components.
•Fun Factor - this car shouldn't be quoted as a "Front Wheel Drive" but as a "Fun Wheel Drive".May 15, 2010
by Shawn C
Mar 25, 2010
Got very nice gas mileage, and got out of its own way pretty nicely. I can't say too
much beyond that because 8 days into owning it I swurved into a guard rail on a
rainy day. Oh, well. Life goes on.Mar 25, 2010
by Rahul R
Jan 01, 2010
Thou the car doesn't have neither striking looks or gr8t
specs... but its worth the money you spend. i own a manual
gearbox one, its fun to drive with a reasonable acceleration
and top speed of 105 mph. Interiors are a pretty decent,
doesn't have any exciting gadgets to play with.
Mileage: City: 23-26 mpg Highway: 30-34Jan 01, 2010
by Steven E
Jan 05, 2009
Had it for 7 years and put 140,000 with no issues other than changing out brakes and batteries. Great car. It is a comfortable car that has needed little maintenance. I've been waiting for the clutch to go out, but it just keeps on going.Jan 05, 2009
by Keenan B
Dec 29, 2008
its alright very slow but likes to be revved the engine is quite peaky and has no bottom end. the suspension does a good job on a variety of surfaces including gravel at high speeds. The brakes work well once warm just like any other breaks. If coaxed properly the rear end will hang out rather nicely and as long as the driver wants it to hang out. The shifter isnt very good and the shift gates are very close together. The trunk provieds aduquate room for a car this size. The car is comfortable and is good on gas. With a good set of snow tires like the ones that I have on it right now it is a tank in the snow and is lots of fun.Dec 29, 2008
by Anonymous
Nov 19, 2008
It is alright. Good mpg, roomy for a V4 import. 5spd manual. NOOO acceleration nice top speed 135-145mph. Light weight starts good. quiet. Fancy but not over frilly. Good acceleration at very top end but most people don't drive their car to the max rpm. The only problem we've had is the air intake hose had a tiny hole in it. The car would not run at all, wrapped it in ductape now its fine.Nov 19, 2008
by Tom W
Oct 25, 2008
its a great car no doubt...its got great accleration and braking it handles
well at turns it is just like a dream car the interior is groegous . the
emergency brake works perfectly the shitfting is fine the transmission is
perfect no slipping or anything the gas milage is perfect alsoOct 25, 2008
by Jek Jec I
Aug 20, 2008
I got the Mazda Protege (or Mazda 97 1/2 as it was marketed here in Manila) back in 1997 as a graduation gift from high school. I really wanted a Honda Civic at the time, but the color we wanted wasn't available yet, so my folks bought me a maroon 323 Familia, which I drove till late 2001. Overall, I loved the car, so much so that we sold it to my Tito's family, and I still see it every few weeks.Aug 20, 2008
by Todd S
Jun 27, 2008
tough little rig good commuter carJun 27, 2008
by Luke S
Jun 08, 2008
this car was the slowest and worst car ever owenedJun 08, 2008
by Dave V
Jun 04, 2008
its good on gas, good ride, has a few problems but okJun 04, 2008
by Jared L
Mar 27, 2008
like I said it is a mazdaMar 27, 2008
by Christopher G
Mar 17, 2008
its slow and has nothing going for it but it is a good car that is good on gasMar 17, 2008
by Troy M
Mar 15, 2008
nothing special, at all!,,ended up gettin impounded anyways after the police found it at the mall uninsured with no plates
good thing i wasnt driving ;)Mar 15, 2008
by Ian C
Mar 02, 2008
Owned since 2003. Car is ultra-reliable - has never broken down or needed major repairs, I've put on 110,000 km since purchasing it at 60,000. Solid, reliable car. I have a couple of very minor electrical issues - the power locks work, but central locking activated with the key in the driver's door doesn't work anymore. Also some of the LED's on the rear spoiler are dim/burnt out. This is an amazingly reliable vehicle and easy to maintain and drive.Mar 02, 2008
by Иван-Филип Д
Jan 11, 2008
Not as reliable as my old protégé. Door actuators break, engine stalls when temp is cold (on an auto tranny....), but still is a very good car. Rust doesn't seem to be a problem on those. Fuel economy is average for such a small engine.Jan 11, 2008
by Matt S
Jan 11, 2008
I lost my power steering because my AC Pump went out.Jan 11, 2008
by Chris M
Jan 10, 2008
great car that i only payed 300 forJan 10, 2008
What users have asked
fuel tank
how do I removed a full tank of gas from my 97 Mazda Protégé
142 views
I can not get at some of the bolts to get the transmission fluid changed.
There is a cross member in the way of the bolts. Does that cross member need to be removed. Or is there something possibly bent like the cross member that restricts access to the bolts? Anyone have an idea?
60 views
GAS TANK
I need to remove the gas tank , to fix a leak in a steel brake line , but the tank is full of gas , and you cant siphon through the filler , because there is a blockage in the filler .neck ,this is on a 97 Mazda Protege how do I remove the gas.
469 views
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Have you driven a 1997 Mazda Protege?Compare this car
1997 Mazda Protege Pricing
Original MSRP
$12,595 to $15,745Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent